Piano Mastery: Talks with Master Pianists and Teachers

"Piano Mastery: Talks with Master Pianists and Teachers" by Harriette Brower is a compilation of interviews from the early 1900s with famous pianists and teachers. This book gives a peek into how these musical experts thought, revealing their methods, ideas, and stories about becoming masters of the piano. It's full of useful information for piano students and teachers, presenting a wide range of knowledge about how to understand music, play skillfully, and connect emotionally with the art. Brower shares her journey meeting famous pianists in Europe, including Ignace Jan Paderewski. These early talks highlight the unique approach to teaching, focusing on sound quality, finger placement, and expressing emotion, setting the stage for the diverse experiences shared by other pianists later on.